Tag: sefton@work

Council grants are helping firms in Sefton prosper, according to Sefton Council officials after they visited two businesses in the borough to hear all about their thriving ventures.

Both businesses have benefited from Invest Sefton funding, which has helped them to keep their businesses and staff in the borough.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, was joined by officers from Invest Sefton on guided tours of the Sefton Carers Centre, c based in Waterloo and Hybrid Technical Services Ltd, Aintree.

Sefton Carers Centre has been running for more than 21 years and through the company, they set up the Learning Well Agency as a trading arm in 2015. and sell recycled paint throughout the borough.

Hybrid Technical Services Ltd was established in 2005 as a Training Provider. They specialise in Electricity, Gas and Plumbing training and accreditation.

Cllr Marion Atkinson said: “It was really pleasing to hear directly the success these two local businesses are having and the positive impact they are having on the local economy.

“The InvestSefton and Sefton@Work teams work extremely hard to support a number of SMEs and it is fantastic to hear that this partnership work is having such a positive impact in developing the local economy and securing jobs for now and the future.

“The more I hear about success stories like these, it reinforces the message that we have an important role in making sure everyone knows that Sefton is open for business.”

Three Sefton businesses which have benefited from European funded support and assistance from Invest Sefton and Sefton@Work were recently visited by a Sefton councillor.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, met with representatives from O.D.L Europe, Presidential Travel and Everton Glass Works who are all based in and around Bootle.

During the visits Cllr Atkinson enjoyed a tour of each of the businesses’ premises before discussing a range of subjects from their plans for the future to their working relationship with Sefton Council and Invest Sefton, the enterprise, business support and inward investment support service.

First up was O.D.L. Europe LTD, which manufactures window cassettes, enclosed blinds and screen doors. Significant investment over the last few years has seen job numbers increase from 13 to 27 and O.D.L works closely with Sefton@Work to provide employment to local residents.

O.D.L has recent further expanded its premises in a bid to increase turnover substantially over the next three years. The company is working closely with Invest Sefton’s export arm in a bid to grow its European sales to around 10-15% of its total.

During the visit Mark Towners, O.D.L Europe Managing Director, told Cllr Atkinson about the company’s plans to recruit a further 3 new apprentices, 1 in administration and 2 in manufacturing, and led a tour of the company’s new office space.

Next up was Presidential Travel LTD, a coach and bus operator based on the Kingfisher Business Park. Established in 2008, Presidential Travel is the approved supplier to public agencies in the Liverpool City Region, including Sefton Council, schools and NHS.

The company, which has operates its own in house training facility, has worked closely with Invest Sefton through participating in tendering workshops, supplier days and chest training as in a bid to help win more business.

Cllr Atkinson met with Derek Taylor, company manager, and spent time discussing Presidential Travels growing public sector customer base and its local recruitment through Sefton@Work.

The final site visit of the day was at EG Ceramics, formerly known as Everton Glass Works LTD. Established in 1964; the business sells ceramic tiles, wallpaper, bathrooms and doors, operating from a shop in Anfield and a large warehouse with two showrooms in Bootle.

The company re-branded as EG and invested heavily in e-commerce following a slowdown in the construction industry due to the recession and now services trade across the UK.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Skills, said: “I was delighted to spend some time visiting local businesses and hearing their success stories.

“Part of the Sefton 2030 Vision is ensuring that everybody knows that Sefton is open for business but it is also vitally important we continue to support those already operating within the borough.

“Invest Sefton has shown great expertise in supporting these businesses leading to increased growth and new job creation. They also have a unique offer in Sefton@Work which can support residents finding employment. I urge any Sefton business seeking to grow to get in touch with the team.”

Mark Towners, Managing Director of O.D.L Europe Ltd, said: “Sefton has always been the home to ODL Europe and as we continue to grow and develop we have tried to remain part of the community.

“We have been part of the Bootle working community for 13 years and have always looked to recruit and develop our people from the local pool. Through the support of Sefton@Work we have been able to fill positions helping some long term unemployed staff back into work. We have also been successful at finding and training apprentices, offering full time roles when they have completed the NVQ qualifications.

“During the last 5 years we have also had help and advice from Invest Sefton on implementation of new investment to help the efficiency of our manufacturing facility.

“As an exporter we look to increase our opportunity into the wider global markets and have been a supporter of Export Sefton which brought together like minded businesses who can help other local companies to take the step to grow their business outside of the local and national boundaries.

“We have always found that working with the local council and its varied departments is a two way street, something that I would recommend to other local businesses.”